The mayors of the four big Dutch cities have asked the Dutch safety board OVV to carry out a major investigation into safety issues during the New Year celebrations, with a specific focus on fireworks.

The exact nature of the probe still has to be finalised, a spokesman for the board told the AD.

The OVV is the main official investigator when serious incidents or accidents occur and draws up recommendations based on the results. Earlier this week it reported on the earthquakes in Groningen and it also has a major role in the MH17 investigation.

The AD says the aim is to help the big cities – Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht – draw up better policy for dealing with the New Year celebrations.

The board’s recommendations could involve developing larger firework free zones and more checks on illegal fireworks, the paper said. Attacks on emergency service workers, which have increased in recent years, may also be included, the paper said.

Pressure has been growing in the Netherlands for changes to the way New Year is celebrated. Every year hundreds of people are arrested, dozens of people are seriously injured and fires cause millions of euros worth of damage during the firework frenzy.